India on Friday achieved a milestone in its missile development programme when scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully test-fired the indigenously developed air-to-air missile Astra at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, 15km from Balasore, defence sources said.

A prototype of the sleek missile was test-launched from a ground based fixed launcher with the help of a booster engine at about 0015 IST from launch complex number two of the ITR, the sources said.

Astra is considered a new system in India's guided missile development programme.

Powered by solid propellant, the missile has a striking range of 25 to 40km.

More trials are in the offing with one being scheduled within the next two days, they said.

The trial was witnessed by top DRDO scientists from Hyderabad and those at the ITR.